Bonito action continues to improve; while the false albacore have now shown themselves quite yet. School striped bass are all over the area and are helping anglers scratch that light tackle itch.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the bonito reports have remained pretty steady around Quonny and Misquamicut; while the false albacore haven’t made their initial appearance just yet. There is a massive amount of small bait in Rhode Island and in the sound, so things should crazy when the funny fish finally arrive. The fluke have started to move into deep water and reports have slowed, but the sea bass and scup action is still going strong. School striped bass are all over the local reefs and rips feeding on peanuts, and providing good light tackle topwater action. Some bigger bluefish have finally arrived around the mouth of the river, and the large schools of bunker should keep them there for a while.
Lou, at Hillyers in Waterford, reports that the sea bass catches have been improving locally. Limits are getting pretty common close to home, and there are some nice knot heads on the deeper structure. There have been some decent sized schools of bass and blues blitzing on small bait around the bay, and a few better bass have been taking on the troll at The Race. The fluke bite seems to have slowed a bit in the sound, but there were actually some pretty good reports from shore anglers fishing around the mouth of the Niantic River.
Rivers End in Old Saybrook reported better striped bass results this week, with strong reports from Race Rock, the Sluiceway and Watch Hill. There are tons of peanut bunker at all locations and bass have been feeding on them heavily all day long. There are plenty of school bass around the river as well and some better bass were taken on eels just outside the river. The mouth of the river is also finally seeing some bigger bluefish and most of the adjacent reefs are holding some nice gators. Snapper fishing also remains very good in all of the usual hotspots. Fluke fishing has slowed a bit, but some decent keepers are being taken in deep water. Sea bass and scup are all over; while the bonito have become more abundant but are staying in Rhode Island for now.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, told me that he’s getting geared up for what should be a great fall run. There are tons of peanuts, mackerel and squid with bass and blues feeding on them, and there are still plenty of larger bass taking live baits after dark. Light tackle and fly action has been great so far for bass and blues and should really take off when the false albacore show up. Give Mike a call today to get in on all the fall fun!
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, reported another strong week of bluefishing, with a good mix of size and action. Scup action also remains red hot, with loads of hubcap sized fish in the mix. Some decent sea bass remain mixed in with the scup and a few schools of bonito have finally arrived sporadically across the sound. The fall run is right around the corner, and TJ still has some openings so book now!
At Fishermans World in Norwalk, reports from striped bass anglers have remained pretty good for anglers fishing early mornings and late evenings. Topwater plugs, large soft plastics and fresh chunks have been taking fish to 20-pounds or so. Bluefish action never really blew up but it is much improved. Some quality fish to the mid-teens are around and there are plenty of snappers in the harbors. Scup action is red hot on all structure and the sea bass numbers seem to be improving as well.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain George, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported some tough fishing over the weekend due to a poor drift, but some quality fish still came over the rails. On Sunday’s morning trip a 31 inch 11-pound doormat was taken on a gulp/spro combo. The half day trips are now over for the season, but the full day fluke boat is still sailing. Captain Rich reported improved fishing on the full day trip Wednesday, where high hook took home 4 keepers and most anglers catching 2-3 each. Abundant sea bass and scup kept the rods bent all day, with the best fishing for all species coming on gulp/bucktail combos.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Snug Harbor, reports that fishing has been pretty strong over the past week, with continued steady fluke action along the local beaches. The black sea bass fishing remains lights out, which helps fill the coolers when the fluking slows. Big scup continue to be in the mix as well.
Captain Brian Bacon, of Big Game Sportfishing in Snug Harbor, provided a report over the weekend and mentioned that the bottom fishing remains hot in the area. The fluke and sea bass bite have been very steady, with full boat limits of sea bass and big fluke to 11-pounds! The cod bite has been spotty, along with the daytime striped bass action; while the nighttime bass action remains pretty steady. Green bonito have started to show up in better numbers around Point Judith and the false albacore should be joining them any day now. The offshore trips have seen plenty of mahi, usually 20-40 fish per trip. The marline bite also fired up recently, as the fleet has hooked into some nice blue and white marlin last week. Yellowfin and big eye tuna are starting to show in better numbers at the canyons and Captain Brian still has some open days in the upcoming weeks!
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly reports some very good striped bass action around the local reefs, along with continued success for anglers fishing the ledge at Block. The breachways have also been producing some pretty nice fish for the nighttime surf anglers. The bonito are around in better numbers throughout South County and are mainly feeding on small anchovies. Black sea bass and scup fishing remain as steady as ever; while fluke fishing has slowed a bit locally but is still going pretty good at the island.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
As we patiently wait the arrival of the false albacore (which should be any day now), you can tighten up your light tackle or fly fishing skills with the school striped bass that are blitzing on peanuts all over the sound. Fluke fishing may be trending downward, but overall there is plenty of ground action to keep you busy between large sea bass, scup and some fluke. It took all summer but the bluefish finally seem to have arrived in pretty good numbers and can be had throughout southern New England.
Multiple sightings of jumping Sturgeon off Cornfield Pt, Saybrook